Childish Things

Don’t punish a child for doing childish things. I’m in no way suggesting you don’t discipline your children. Certainly not. Children need discipline in order to become healthy, happy and productive adults. Parents – and really anyone who works with children – must take responsibility to provide that discipline. But, punishing a child for acting like a child is not discipline. It’s not helpful. Kids will be kids. They’ll act childish and they must be allowed some freedom to be children. They need to play, fantasize, cry, laugh, be loud, have fun and make mistakes – lots of mistakes. Yelling at a three year old for acting like a three year old is not productive. Remember, the three year old has only been alive for three years. So, cut her some slack. You’ve been alive a lot longer. Be the grown-up and let your children be kids.